How can New Zealand’s agriculture sector adapt to the realities of climate change while maintaining productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness?
New Zealand’s agricultural industry is at a crossroads. As climate pressures intensify and global markets demand greater sustainability, farmers and agribusinesses must navigate complex challenges—from reducing carbon emissions and improving water management to enhancing biodiversity and adapting to shifting weather patterns. Achieving a balance between productivity and environmental responsibility is no small feat, but it is critical for the future of our food systems, economy, and natural ecosystems.
This event will explore the factors that are shaping a more resilient agricultural sector. We’ll discuss the latest advancements in carbon mitigation, regenerative farming, and climate adaptation strategies, as well as the role of technology and collaboration in driving meaningful change.
Join us for an engaging discussion on the future of sustainable farming in Aotearoa—where innovation meets practicality, and where agriculture and the environment can thrive together.
This special Innovation Series event is brought to you in partnership with The Lincoln University Institute of Kāika Climate Resilience and Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness.
The Institute of Kāika Climate Resilience is a research initiative, focusing on integrating social science and Mātauraka (whakapapa-framed knowledge) to enhance community resilience against climate change.
The Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness brings together researchers, policymakers and industry to assess the feasibility of transformative agribusiness in Aotearoa New Zealand and develop tangible solutions.
Tuesday 6th May
9.00am - 1.30pm
Memorial Hall, Lincoln University
Programme:
9.00am: Welcome & Introductions
Introductions from Prof. Paora Tapsell, Institute of Kāika Climate Resilience and Prof. Alan Renwick, Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness.
Opening remarks to set the stage for a day of insightful discussions on the challenges and opportunities in New Zealand’s agricultural sector as it adapts to climate change.
Session 1: The Climate Challenge – Risks, Realities, and Responsibilities
9.15am – 10.20am
This session sets the foundation for the day by exploring how New Zealand’s agricultural sector is responding to the climate challenge through innovation, electrification, and financial adaptation. From the integration of renewable energy into productive farmland and low-carbon technology adoption, to the evolving role of green finance, our speakers will share practical pathways toward a more sustainable, resilient, and future-focused food system.
9.15am Keynote Speaker 1 – Dr. Wei Zhang, Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness
Harnessing Agrivoltaics: Integrating Renewable Energy with Productive Farmland
Dr. Zhang will explore how this innovative approach can enhance farm resilience, discussing the opportunities and challenges of implementing agrivoltaics for sustainable land management in the context of global climate change, while ensuring food security and agricultural productivity.9.35am Keynote Speaker 2 – Mike Casey, Rewiring Aotearoa
Electrifying the Future: Transitioning to Low-Carbon Farming
A deep dive into the role of electrification in agriculture, this session will examine how on-farm renewable energy solutions, battery storage, and electrified machinery can drive down carbon footprints while enhancing productivity.9.55am Keynote Speaker 3 – Turi MacFarlane, ASB - confirmed
Future-Proofing Agribusiness: Finance and Sustainability in the Agricultural Sector
ASB will outline their long-term vision for supporting the agricultural industry’s transition to a sustainable, low-emissions future. The presentation will cover industry collaboration, green finance, and sustainability-linked lending solutions.10.15am: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Alan Renwick
10.20am: Break
Session 2: Innovation and Adaptation – Solutions for a Resilient Future
10.35am – 11.40am
Highlighting the latest advancements in sustainable farming practices, carbon reduction strategies, and climate adaptation technologies. This session will showcase real-world examples of how science, innovation, and collaboration are driving change within the sector.
10.35am Keynote Speaker 1 – Dr. Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Lincoln University
Next Generation Farming: Data-Driven, Regenerative, and Climate-Smart Agriculture
Dr. Hendriks will explore how precision agriculture, digital tools, and regenerative practices are shaping the farms of the future. He will highlight research-driven innovations that boost productivity while improving environmental outcomes.10.55am Keynote Speaker 2 – Natalie Ward, Toitū Envirocare
Turning Ambition into Action: Measuring and Managing Agricultural Emissions
TBC will discuss how emissions measurement, science-based targets, and credible certification are supporting New Zealand agribusinesses to reduce their climate impact. They will showcase case studies and tools that help farms translate climate commitments into on-the-ground outcomes.11.15am Keynote Speaker 3 – Ruth Leary, AgriZeroNZ
Carbon-Free Farming: Scaling Low-Emissions Solutions in Agriculture
Ruth will explore cutting-edge innovations, from methane-reducing feed additives to electrification and regenerative farming practices, that are helping to transition farms toward a net-zero future while maintaining productivity and profitability.11.35am: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Paora Tapsell
11.40am: Break
Session 3: The Road Ahead – Policy, Partnerships, and Practical Action
11.50am – 12.55pm
Focusing on the role of government policy, industry partnerships, and grassroots initiatives in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. This session will explore how different stakeholders can work together to balance productivity with environmental stewardship and build a climate-resilient food system.
11.50am Keynote Speaker 1 – Nick Butcher, CarbonCrop
Partnering for Resilience
Nick Butcher will explore how catchment groups, forestry finance, and agricultural supply chains can align to support farmers in building more environmentally and economically resilient businesses. Drawing on CarbonCrop’s work across the primary sector, he’ll highlight what’s happening on the ground today and offer insights into the future of integrated carbon strategies, land use, and sustainability-driven collaboration.12.10pm Keynote Speaker 2 – Mat Cullen, Fonterra
Global Partnerships for a Sustainable Dairy Industry
Fonterra will discuss their latest sustainability commitments, including collaborations with global brands such as Mars, Nestlé, and Danone to drive climate-smart dairy production and supply chain transformation.12.30pm Keynote Speaker 3 – TBC
12.50pm: Session Summary & Q&A – Prof. Paora Tapsell
Closing Remarks & Networking
12.55pm: Summary by Prof. Alan Renwick
1.05pm: Lunch and Networking
1.30pm: Event Concludes
Our Speakers
Prof. Paora Tapsell, Lincoln University's Institute of Kāika Climate Resilience
Professor Paora Tapsell, of Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Raukawa descent, is a distinguished academic and leader in indigenous studies, museum curation, and cultural heritage. Raised in the Bay of Plenty's ancestral gardens of his grandparents, he became the first Māori curator of art and history at Rotorua Museum in 1990. He earned a Master's in Social Anthropology and a Doctorate in Museum Ethnography from the University of Oxford. His career includes roles as Director Māori at Auckland War Memorial Museum, Dean and Professor at the University of Otago, and Professor at the University of Melbourne, where he established Australia's first Indigenous Studies program. Co-founder of Māorimaps.com, he has facilitated reconnections between urban-raised Māori and their ancestral marae. In 2024, he was elected a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for his contributions to Māori communities.
In March 2025, he was appointed inaugural director of Lincoln University's Institute of Kāika Climate Resilience, integrating mātauranga Māori with contemporary science to address climate challenges.
Prof. Alan Renwick, Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness
Alan Renwick has been Professor of Agriculture Economics at Lincoln University since November 2015. Prior to moving to New Zealand, he worked in academic institutions in England, Scotland and Ireland. During his 30 year career he has undertaken research on a wide range of issues facing the agrifood sector for both government bodies and industry. Recently a key focus of his work has been on the economics of existing and novel land uses and the processes involved in land-use transformation and adaptation to climate change. He is currently Co-Chair of the Lincoln University Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness which aims to be at the international forefront of solutions that will enhance the sustainability of the food and fibre sectors. Its role is to support the development of new products and new ways of working that increase economic and social value while reducing the environmental impacts of agribusinesses.
Dr. Wei Zhang, Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness
My research is focusing on soil biogeochemistry and the benefits of grasses as companion plants, primarily in the contest of nutrient constraints in pastoral grasslands in the New Zealand High Country. My recent research focus on the transition of farming systems within a regenerative and agri-photovoltaic context. These researches aim to investigate the potential of regenerative agriculture and Agrivoltaic in New Zealand. By researching and analysing the agricultural production system in New Zealand, we will explore the potential benefits of this agricultural system for the country's agricultural development and propose specific recommendations and strategies for its implementation. These studies will provide valuable insights and guidance for the sustainable development and ecological conservation of the agricultural industry in New Zealand.
Mike Casey, Rewiring Aotearoa
Mike Casey is an entrepreneur and cherry orchardist from Central Otago who has electrified all the machines on his farm and demonstrated how the transition away from diesel can save farmers tens of thousands each year and significantly reduce emissions. He is also the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a New Zealand charity dedicated to electrifying millions of fossil fuel machines across the motu as quickly as possible. Rewiring Aotearoa’s Electric Homes report proved New Zealand had reached the electrification tipping point, where electric appliances and vehicles were cheaper than their fossil fuel equivalents over their lifetime, even with upfront costs and finance built in. The Electric Farms paper proved there are similar benefits for the rural sector if we can turn farms into power plants. It showed New Zealand’s farmers could reduce their operational costs by going electric and generating a lot of their own electricity through mid-scale solar and battery systems - and they can also make money by feeding electricity back into the grid at times of high demand. “Whether in the home or on the farm, electrification is a real win-win. It’s not just the right environmental decision anymore, it’s the right economic decision. It’s a no-brainer. We just have to figure out how to make it easy.”
Turi McFarlane, ASB
Turi McFarlane is the Head of Rural Sustainability at ASB, where he leads the development and implementation of the bank’s rural sustainability strategy. With a strong background in environmental management and farm systems, Turi focuses on supporting and enabling the bank’s rural customers to improve sustainability outcomes. He is committed to driving positive environmental and social outcomes while supporting ASB’s customers and communities in their transition to a low-carbon future. Turi brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, climate risk, and sustainable finance, positioning ASB as a leader in responsible banking in New Zealand.
Dr. Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Lincoln University
My area is arable crop production, phenotyping and breeding. I have a specific interest in below-ground crop development and interactions. My recent research evolved around wheat- weed interactions and the improvement of the competitive ability of wheat. Competition with weeds is an ongoing problem in wheat production. The cost of weeds, increasing concerns around food safety, soil health, herbicide resistance and the reduction in the release of novel products suggest a need for an integrated weed management approach. Improving the competitive ability of wheat is one of the tools available in this integrated weed management. We studied the impact of the selection for and the breeding with increased early shoot vigour on the competitiveness of wheat. A particular focus was set at below ground root architecture and allelochemical interactions. Currently I am trying to set up a breeding effort to find solutions for the New Zealand Potato Industry. I would like to develop the speed breeding and phenotyping capacity at Lincoln University.
Natalie Ward, Toitū Envirocare
Natalie Ward is the Sales and Partnership Manager at Toitū Envirocare, New Zealand’s leading environmental certification and advisory organisation. Since joining Toitū in January 2022, she has played a pivotal role in supporting organisations to adopt science-based sustainability practices and achieve measurable climate action. Natalie brings a diverse background in business development and environmental leadership. She holds a Master of Sustainable Practice from Ara Institute of Canterbury and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environment from the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Her expertise spans stakeholder engagement, low-carbon strategy, and sustainable business growth. As a frequent speaker and facilitator, including at Toitū’s industry webinars and various conferences, Natalie is committed to empowering businesses to lead credible, impactful change in the transition to a low-emissions future.
Ruth Leary, AgriZero
Heading the Strategy & Engagement function at AgriZeroNZ. AgriZeroNZ is a world-first public-private joint venture focused on helping farmers reduce emissions while maintaining their competitive edge. The JV is half owned by the New Zealand government through the Ministry for Primary Industries and the other half owned by The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO, ASB Bank, BNZ, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait.
AgriZeroNZ's ambition is to ensure all farmers in Aotearoa New Zealand have equitable access to affordable, effective solutions to reduce biogenic methane and nitrous oxides emissions.
Mat Cullen, Fonterra
Mat has held a number of farmer-facing and programme development roles over the 9 years that he has been employed at Fonterra. His current role is GM On Farm Excellence – Environment and is responsible for the development and delivery of the on-farm component of our sustainability strategy. This includes the development of our farmer-facing tools and services that fit within our Co-operative Difference framework and enable our field teams to support farmers to meet co-op and on-farm aspirations. Most recently this has included the development and delivery of Farm Environment Reports (which includes bespoke Nitrogen and GHG profiles) to all Fonterra farmers; and our Farm Environment Plan service that is delivered via our team of Sustainable Dairying Advisors. Mat is also responsible for representing our farmers through policy and advocacy processes at both national and regional level. Mat grew up on a farm in the Waikato and is currently based out of our Christchurch office.
Nick Butcher, Carboncrop
Nick is an engineer, entrepreneur, and leader with 15 years experience researching, building, and delivering innovative products. This has included significant stints in hands on R&D, product management, & senior leadership, covering hardware, embedded software, and web-based sass products - primarily in the energy and transport domains - from startups to Fortune100 companies.
Nick enjoys working with enthusiastic people on bold ideas where there’s the potential to have a big positive impact on the world, especially applying techniques from the AI domain to solve big problems in energy, climate, mobility, biodiversity, food security, and general human intelligence/decision augmentation.
Nick is the Chief Technology Officer for CarbonCrop. CarbonCrop was founded in 2020 with the goal of using Artificial Intelligence to help landholders pull a billion tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere and lock it up into trees.
More Speakers to be announced…
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